Christian Horner timeline: Meetings with lawyers, alleged leaked messages and a marriage 'in question'... how Red Bull's team principal and former Spice Girl wife Geri Halliwell became embroiled in F1 scandal
- Christian Horner was accused of 'inappropriate behaviour' by a colleague
- After an internal probe, Horner was cleared of the allegations on Wednesday
- Here, Mail Sport takes a look at the timeline of events across the last two months
On Wednesday evening, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner was cleared of any wrongdoing following initial allegations of 'inappropriate behaviour'.
The 50-year-old's future at the Formula One team has been under scrutiny after being accused of 'coercive behaviour' towards a close female employee at the Milton Keynes-based team last month.
Reports in Holland had claimed the accusations run even deeper with Horner allegedly sending sexual messages to the woman in question.
And although Horner - the husband of former Spice Girl Geri Haillwell - was cleared of wrongdoing following an investigation into his conduct, the saga took another twist after 79 screenshots of text messages allegedly sent by the supremo surfaced online just hours after the verdict.
Here, Mail Sport takes a look at the timeline of events in F1's biggest scandal.
![After weeks of investigations, Red Bull chief Christian Horner was cleared of allegations of 'coercive behaviour' towards a female colleague on Wednesday afternoon](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/01/16/81485733-13146191-Christian_Horner_will_fly_to_Bahrain_today_ahead_of_the_start_of-a-17_1709311519591.jpg)
After weeks of investigations, Red Bull chief Christian Horner was cleared of allegations of 'coercive behaviour' towards a female colleague on Wednesday afternoon
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/01/16/81486237-13146191-image-a-18_1709311560095.jpg)
Horner - who is married to former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell - is fighting to save his career after allegations of 'inappropriate behaviour' were made against him by a colleague
February 5
Red Bull Racing's parent company GmbH confirms Horner is under investigation following an accusation of 'inappropriate behaviour'.
The company says it 'takes these matters extremely seriously and the investigation will be completed as soon as practically possible'.
February 9
Horner is questioned by a lawyer in charge of the investigation for eight hours at a secret London location. There is no immediate resolution.
On the same day, Red Bull GmbH released a statement that read: 'After being made aware of certain recent allegations, the company launched an independent investigation.
'This process, which is already under way, is being carried out by an external specialist barrister. The company takes these matters extremely seriously and the investigation will be completed as soon as practically possible.
'It would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.'
February 15
Horner appears at Red Bull's car launch - his first appearance in public since news of the allegations emerged. He vows to be in his role as Red Bull team principal for the first race of the season, and says: 'For me, it is business as normal.'
He said, 'I'm going through a process and fully respect it. For me, it is business as normal and I'm focused on the season ahead.
'Of course, it is a distraction for the team but the team are very together.'
![The allegations, which first broke on February 5, have dominated F1 over the past month](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/01/16/81860899-13146191-The_allegations_which_first_broke_on_February_5_have_dominated_F-a-19_1709311712397.jpg)
The allegations, which first broke on February 5, have dominated F1 over the past month
![Throughout the probe, he had maintained his innocence and insisted he was going nowhere](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/01/16/81861411-13146191-Throughout_the_probe_he_had_maintained_his_innocence_and_insiste-a-20_1709311717477.jpg)
Throughout the probe, he had maintained his innocence and insisted he was going nowhere
February 18
F1 makes its first public comment on the matter, calling for Horner's future to be 'clarified at the earliest opportunity'.
In a statement, they wrote: 'We have noted that Red Bull has instigated an independent investigation into internal allegations at Red Bull Racing.
'We hope that the matter will be clarified at the earliest opportunity, after a fair and thorough process, and we will not comment further at this time.'
February 20
Despite the ongoing investigation, Horner flies to Bahrain for three days of testing ahead of the new season - while Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko praised the company's handling of the situation.
'The sooner a result is available, the better because of course, rumours and other stories are bound to sprout due to the long duration.
'[But] I think Red Bull has reacted very well in this matter. The long duration of this investigation is not their fault. They are endeavouring to [have] a fair investigation and then react accordingly.'
![Helmut Marko had been quick to praise how Red Bull handled the team principal's situation](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/01/16/81911935-13146191-Helmut_Marko_has_spoken_out_about_the_leaked_email_allegedly_sho-a-21_1709311773272.jpg)
Helmut Marko had been quick to praise how Red Bull handled the team principal's situation
![Despite the ongoing investigation, Horner flew to Bahrain for testing ahead of the new season](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/01/16/81860893-13146191-Red_Bull_chief_Christian_Horner_has_been_pictured_for_the_first_-a-22_1709311786618.jpg)
Despite the ongoing investigation, Horner flew to Bahrain for testing ahead of the new season
February 21
Horner takes his position on the Red Bull pit wall for the opening day of the test.
'I am pleased that the process is over and I cannot comment about it,' he told Sky Sports. 'I am focused on the season ahead. Within the team it (the unity) has never been stronger.'
Meanwhile, rival Mercedes boss Toto Wolff demanded transparency from Red Bull's investigation, and said the controversy is 'an issue for all of Formula One'.
'I just read the statement, which was pretty basic,' said Wolff. 'My personal opinion is we can't really look behind the curtain.
'There is a lady in an organisation that has spoken to HR and said there was an issue and it was investigated and yesterday the sport has received the message that it's all fine, we've looked at it.
'I believe with the aspiration as a global sport, on such critical topics, it needs more transparency and I wonder what the sport's position is?
February 22
Horner appears in a press conference alongside four other F1 team principals.
He refuses to comment on the investigation, but says 'everybody would like a conclusion as soon as possible'.
![Mercedes boss Toto Wolff demanded greater transparency from Red Bull's investigation](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/01/16/81890229-13146191-Mercedes_boss_Toto_Wolff_above_has_demanded_greater_transparency-a-23_1709311797481.jpg)
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff demanded greater transparency from Red Bull's investigation
February 23
Red Bull's triple world champion Max Verstappen says 'it will be nice for everyone' when the investigation into Horner is concluded.
'I mean in terms of talking about that, it's not that suddenly sat here, that I can speak about things,' Verstappen said.
'So it's better that I just focus on my own performance because that's already the day job. But I guess, of course, for everyone, it's nice, of course, when things are resolved. But that's the only thing that I can say about that.
'Everyone who is here, they're all focusing on the performance of the car, as they should. Everyone knows their role and everyone is very focused on trying to make the whole package faster.'
Meanwhile, Horner headed back to England following the conclusion of the test.
February 28
Red Bull GmbH announces the 'independent investigation into the allegations made against Mr Horner is complete and Red Bull can confirm that the grievance has been dismissed', clearing Horner to remain in his position.
Former Spice girl Geri Halliwell - Horner's wife - claims she's 'relieved and elated' that her husband was cleared of improper behaviour.
![Red Bull's triple world champion Max Verstappen weighed in on the situation and said 'it will be nice for everyone' when the investigation into Horner is concluded](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/01/16/81927403-13146191-image-a-24_1709311843722.jpg)
Red Bull's triple world champion Max Verstappen weighed in on the situation and said 'it will be nice for everyone' when the investigation into Horner is concluded
![Former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell claimed she was 'relieved and elated' that her husband was cleared of improper behaviour](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/01/16/81084311-13146191-Horner_50_is_married_to_former_Spice_Girl_Geri_Halliwell_and_fou-a-25_1709311862723.jpg)
Former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell claimed she was 'relieved and elated' that her husband was cleared of improper behaviour
February 29
Text messages and photographs allegedly sent by Horner to a female employee are leaked, just hours after the Red Bull boss broke his silence on the investigation.
The bombshell email contained 79 documents, including hundreds of messages, many of them of a sexual nature.
The anonymous sender copied in leading people in the sport, such as FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem and F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali, as well as accredited media gathered in Bahrain for the scandal-ridden opening race of the season.
March 1
Halliwell lands in Bahrain on a private jet to meet Christian Horner - having taken off before the 'leaked texts' email.
Meanwhile, friends reveal to MailOnline that Halliwell and Horner's marriage is thrown 'into question for the first time'.
Friends close to the Spice Girl, who stood by her husband of nine years resolutely throughout the internal probe, claim she is 'having the meltdown to end all meltdowns over the leaks'.
![Text messages and photographs allegedly sent by Horner to a female employee are leaked, just hours after the Red Bull boss broke his silence on the investigation.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/01/16/81358767-13146191-Ford_have_refused_to_comment_on_leaked_messages_allegedly_sent_b-a-28_1709312359481.jpg)
Text messages and photographs allegedly sent by Horner to a female employee are leaked, just hours after the Red Bull boss broke his silence on the investigation.
![Halliwell lands in Bahrain to meet Horner - having taken off before the 'leaked texts' email](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/01/16/81485527-13146191-Horner_has_denied_the_allegations_but_remains_under_investigatio-a-26_1709311867905.jpg)
Halliwell lands in Bahrain to meet Horner - having taken off before the 'leaked texts' email
Elsewhere, a source close to the female employee who accused Horner of inappropriate behaviour claims she feels 'very unhappy' at Red Bull's decision to clear him of inappropriate behaviour.
Speaking to MailOnline, the relative said: 'My reaction to all this is that it is disgusting. In the words of Red Bull, Christian Horner has been cleared but I think many people look at that answer and can't quite fathom out the truth behind it.
'It's obviously not going to rest now because of these leaks. I wasn't aware of the messages prior to them being picked up by the media and I have no idea at all who is responsible for the leak.